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Weekly Reflection: 17th Sunday in OT

It is a game that people of all ages have played for years. If you had one wish what would it be? Wealth? Fame? Fortune? Or would you ask for health, popularity or security? Most of us would think of our family, friends or ourselves.

In today’s first reading the young Solomon was given this choice by God. The newly anointed King was faced with ruling a nation. All the wishes listed above would have been a reasonable request. Who would have blamed him? Yet Solomon asked for wisdom. He looked beyond himself to the greater good; to God’s will.

When we pray, we often ask God for specific things. We beg God to take a terrible disease from a loved one or ourselves. We ask Him for a way to help us out of a financial crisis. We request that our Lord direct events to our benefit. How often do we pray to God and include in our prayer the answer we want?

Yet why do we have such a hard time following Solomon’s example? In those moments when we cry out to the Lord, why do we not ask for wisdom, guidance or acceptance? Why can’t we live our lives on God’s terms and not ours?

If we could, we would find the Kingdom of Heaven and it would be the answer to all of our prayers. We need nothing else to bring us peace. All we have to do is to trust in and relinquish control to God. Easier said than done.

A good discourse is that from which nothing can be retrenched without cutting into the quick.

Saint Francis de Sales

Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself.

Saint Francis de Sales

Through devotion, your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.

Saint Francis de Sales

We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence. Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.

Saint Francis de Sales

Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.

Saint Francis de Sales

A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.

St. Francis de Sales

When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.

Saint Francis de Sales

Those who love to be feared fear to be loved.

Saint Francis de Sales

Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others, and talk to God.

Saint Francis de Sales

The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it, and their mouths full of its praises.